Woman accused of Facebook bullying arrested on 23 charges

March 15, 2019

ASHLAND, Ala. (AP) — Authorities say a woman accused of bullying on Facebook has been arrested on nearly two dozen counts of aggravated stalking.

AL.com quotes Clay County Sheriff Jim Studdard in a Friday report as saying 48-year-old Catherine Patterson was arrested this week. The Ashland resident was apprehended on the 23 felony warrants after she was previously ordered to stay off social media.

Authorities haven’t provided many details but say there’s a history of conflict between Patterson and the victims, which include some former family members. Studdard says investigators searched Patterson’s home Wednesday and took several electronic devices.

Court records show Patterson was charged with harassment in 2017 and with violation of a protection order in 2017 and 2018. However, all the charges were dismissed.